Here is how you should create each section of your ATS-friendly resume

Writing an ATS-friendly resume will be one of the best things you do for your job search. Whenever you are applying for a job, there is a good chance that your job application will be screened using an Applicant Tracking System by the employer. You don’t want to be rejected from the competition just because your resume was not ATS-compatible.

To make things easier for you, here are some guidelines on how to write each section of your ATS-friendly resume:

Contact Information

Do not include your contact information in the header or footer of your resume. ATSs tend to skip information within the header or the footer. Instead, add your contact information to your resume in normal text. You can add each piece of information in a single line. If you are applying for a job out of state, you can remove your location from the resume.

Resume Headline

Write a catchy resume headline that captures your spirit. Incorporate a few keywords as well as your job title into your resume headline. Keep it down to one short sentence.

Resume Summary

The summary statement is very important for your resume. Write this section last, after you have completed your entire resume. The resume summary must mention a few keywords such as your key skills, accomplishments, and qualifications related to the job. Keep the resume summary between 2-4 sentences.

Work Experience

Arrange your work experience in reverse-chronological order with your latest experience coming first on the list. List the company name, location, job title, and relevant dates of each position clearly. The dates of employment must come after the company name and job title to prevent misinterpretation by the ATS. Write a short blurb describing your role in each position followed by 3-6 bullet points outlining your greatest professional achievements in the role. Use less than 3 bullet points to describe older and less relevant roles. Incorporate keywords to your work experience section in the right context.

Education

Your highest educational qualifications must go here. If you have gone to college, there is no need to mention your high school diploma or GED on your resume. For each education entry you make, list the college name, location, title of the qualification, and the relevant dates. If you are writing a recent college grad resume, add a short description of relevant coursework and your academic achievements.

Hobbies and Interests

This section gives you a chance to incorporate more keywords into your resume. List your hobbies and interests in the order of their importance. If you have won awards for your hobby tech projects, list them first. If you undertake fundraising campaigns for a voluntary organization, give them priority as well.

The Headings

Type your resume section headings in block capitals and use bold text. Add a line break to separate each section. Use standard section titles such as “Education,” “Key skills,” and “Work experience.” Avoid non-standard resume section headings such as "What I’ve Done.” Ensure that the section titles stand out. Use subheadings within resume sections to bring out important details.